Laugh or Cry Presents:
CRUEL BRITANNIA
★★★★ Female Arts
Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Kentish Town, NW5 2ED
13 - 18 September, 7.30pm
CRUEL BRITANNIA
★★★★ Female Arts
Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Kentish Town, NW5 2ED
13 - 18 September, 7.30pm
Six evenings of comedy, satire and dark entertainments to tickle your sides and pickle your liver.
Join Stuart Benson (BBC Writer’s Room Alumni), Gabriel Jones (no, you haven’t heard of him … yet) and a host of guest acts as they traverse the modern British landscape of social discord and media-fuelled angst.
Pull yourself away from your Twitter feed for a night in a dark room with like-minded individuals – because when there’s no escaping it, you can either laugh or cry.
Cast includes: Andrew David; Ed Daw; Izzy Daws; Kelly Griffiths; Martin Sales; Ryan Wichert
Join Stuart Benson (BBC Writer’s Room Alumni), Gabriel Jones (no, you haven’t heard of him … yet) and a host of guest acts as they traverse the modern British landscape of social discord and media-fuelled angst.
Pull yourself away from your Twitter feed for a night in a dark room with like-minded individuals – because when there’s no escaping it, you can either laugh or cry.
Cast includes: Andrew David; Ed Daw; Izzy Daws; Kelly Griffiths; Martin Sales; Ryan Wichert
GUEST ACTS:
TUESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
ARNA SPEK
'Stand-up comedian from the Netherlands, Arna Spek (BBC Radio 4 New Comedy Award, Brighton Fringe 2015) is trying to blend in with the English! Will she succeed? Join Arna for an epic story, full of dangerously awkward moments.
"Arna has great material and a very distinctive style; so do keep an eye out for this Dutch dame!" (Broadway Baby)'
'Stand-up comedian from the Netherlands, Arna Spek (BBC Radio 4 New Comedy Award, Brighton Fringe 2015) is trying to blend in with the English! Will she succeed? Join Arna for an epic story, full of dangerously awkward moments.
"Arna has great material and a very distinctive style; so do keep an eye out for this Dutch dame!" (Broadway Baby)'
MADDY JOY
Maddy Joy Willis has been aptly described as a "sexually frustrated 50's housewife". As a feminist this, much like the patriarchy, rubbed her up the wrong way; but, as a comedian she was just pleased she'd finally found her persona, and has been amping up the sexual frustration ever since.
Her comic style brings together playful storytelling with the occasional pun. It has been said that she has a unique and pleasing way with words that draw you into the slightly odd and very nerdy world she has chosen to live in.
And although passionate about many things, Maddy Joy uses her comedy to talk about her most burning passions, consisting mainly of paper-thin Scottish men off the telly.
Maddy Joy Willis has been aptly described as a "sexually frustrated 50's housewife". As a feminist this, much like the patriarchy, rubbed her up the wrong way; but, as a comedian she was just pleased she'd finally found her persona, and has been amping up the sexual frustration ever since.
Her comic style brings together playful storytelling with the occasional pun. It has been said that she has a unique and pleasing way with words that draw you into the slightly odd and very nerdy world she has chosen to live in.
And although passionate about many things, Maddy Joy uses her comedy to talk about her most burning passions, consisting mainly of paper-thin Scottish men off the telly.
WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
TOM & WILL
Tom & Will's Open Swim
Will is best known for his work with award-winning sketch group Clever Peter. He has been on screen in ‘The One Griff' (BBC) alongside Griff Rhys Jones, as well as E4’s ‘Cardinal Burns’, BBC3’s ‘Otherworld’, and BAFTA-nominated CBBC sketch show ‘FIT’. Theatre productions include ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray', 'Jeckyll and Hyde' (European Arts Company) and ‘Lovesong Of The Electric Bear’ (Hope Theatre).
Tom Greaves recently filmed 'Our Loved Boy', a BBC feature film coming out in November about Damilola Taylor. Last year he was in the viral hit 'Offline Dating', the National Tour of Tom Stoppard's 'Arcadia' and 'The Seagull' (Regent's Park). He's acted in over thirty commercials. He trained at LAMDA.
Here are some nice things people have said about OPEN SWIM at the fringe:
‘The weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. Either they are mad or I am’ - Swiss guy in sweaty bunker
‘My face aches’ - Sketch Comedian
‘For fans of Will Ferrel Films, Mighty Boosh, League of Gentlemen, Matt Berry and anything that has silly over the top humour. It is the best comedy show that I have seen so far’ Middlesbrough Fan
Tom & Will's Open Swim
Will is best known for his work with award-winning sketch group Clever Peter. He has been on screen in ‘The One Griff' (BBC) alongside Griff Rhys Jones, as well as E4’s ‘Cardinal Burns’, BBC3’s ‘Otherworld’, and BAFTA-nominated CBBC sketch show ‘FIT’. Theatre productions include ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray', 'Jeckyll and Hyde' (European Arts Company) and ‘Lovesong Of The Electric Bear’ (Hope Theatre).
Tom Greaves recently filmed 'Our Loved Boy', a BBC feature film coming out in November about Damilola Taylor. Last year he was in the viral hit 'Offline Dating', the National Tour of Tom Stoppard's 'Arcadia' and 'The Seagull' (Regent's Park). He's acted in over thirty commercials. He trained at LAMDA.
Here are some nice things people have said about OPEN SWIM at the fringe:
‘The weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. Either they are mad or I am’ - Swiss guy in sweaty bunker
‘My face aches’ - Sketch Comedian
‘For fans of Will Ferrel Films, Mighty Boosh, League of Gentlemen, Matt Berry and anything that has silly over the top humour. It is the best comedy show that I have seen so far’ Middlesbrough Fan
THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
IVY DAVIES
Ivy Davies: Play Ground
Performance poet and singer Ivy Davies treating us to new work in progress from her show Play Ground.
She recently performed her first solo show Wonderations at the Canvas Cafe, London and was a wonderful success with critics and audience alike.
Here is what was said about Wonderations.
‘Davies has an immovable strength and presence, but one that overflows with positivity...gentle, joyful...a lovely celebration of self-acceptance'
THE PLAYS THE THING
You can listen to music from Wonderations, an eclectic mix of pop, rock and soul at: www.ivydavies.com.
Ivy has worked with Take That, Diana Ross and supported Candi Staton in concert. In theatre she has worked as an actress, singer and musical director.
Ivy Davies: Play Ground
Performance poet and singer Ivy Davies treating us to new work in progress from her show Play Ground.
She recently performed her first solo show Wonderations at the Canvas Cafe, London and was a wonderful success with critics and audience alike.
Here is what was said about Wonderations.
‘Davies has an immovable strength and presence, but one that overflows with positivity...gentle, joyful...a lovely celebration of self-acceptance'
THE PLAYS THE THING
You can listen to music from Wonderations, an eclectic mix of pop, rock and soul at: www.ivydavies.com.
Ivy has worked with Take That, Diana Ross and supported Candi Staton in concert. In theatre she has worked as an actress, singer and musical director.
PETA LILY
Chastity Belt
Written and performed by Peta Lily
Directed by Di Sherlock
Part comic confession, part one-woman Lysistrata,
Chastity Belt asks: is intimacy dangerous? What would the goddess Diana say? Do hags have more fun?
Expect blues, tutus, mythology, contemporary angst and lemons.
Reviews for Peta Lily's work:
Hilarious, frank and moving - Total Theatre
Fringe theatre at its best - South China Morning Post
Funny, incisive and poignant - The Scotsman
Peta Lily is an award-winning performer/theater maker, known for her solo career with consistently well-reviewed shows including Frightened of Nothing, Wendy Darling, Beg, Topless, Midriff and Invocation, as well as collaborations with the David Glass Ensemble and Claire Dowie. She has toured the UK, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Australia and Europe.
This master-ess of the solo show and performing veteran has been known to take her audience effortlessly from laughter to tears and back again and to surprise, delight and provoke with clever content and an effortless blending of performance styles.
She has written three plays one of which was short-listed for the Verity Bargate Award.
Chastity Belt
Written and performed by Peta Lily
Directed by Di Sherlock
Part comic confession, part one-woman Lysistrata,
Chastity Belt asks: is intimacy dangerous? What would the goddess Diana say? Do hags have more fun?
Expect blues, tutus, mythology, contemporary angst and lemons.
Reviews for Peta Lily's work:
Hilarious, frank and moving - Total Theatre
Fringe theatre at its best - South China Morning Post
Funny, incisive and poignant - The Scotsman
Peta Lily is an award-winning performer/theater maker, known for her solo career with consistently well-reviewed shows including Frightened of Nothing, Wendy Darling, Beg, Topless, Midriff and Invocation, as well as collaborations with the David Glass Ensemble and Claire Dowie. She has toured the UK, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Australia and Europe.
This master-ess of the solo show and performing veteran has been known to take her audience effortlessly from laughter to tears and back again and to surprise, delight and provoke with clever content and an effortless blending of performance styles.
She has written three plays one of which was short-listed for the Verity Bargate Award.
FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
CARMEN ALI
Carmen Ali has been performing stand up for five years in and around London, basically wherever anyone will have her. She talks about sex, dating, family, and feminism from a dark and dirty perspective. This is her first Work in Progress show, which she hopes to take to Edinburgh one day. Maybe next year, if it’s ready. Described as ‘Fearless, Formidable and Funny’ by an online women’s magazine which no longer exists, and ‘really good’ by the really famous actor Hugh Grant. She has also been runner-up, semi finalist etc in a few comedy competitions. Always the Bridesmaid, never the award winning comedian. Join her for the Work in Progress that is her life.
Twitter: @CarmenAli | Instagram @CarmenJeanAli | Facebook Page @CarmenAliComedy | Website: www.carmenali.com
Carmen Ali has been performing stand up for five years in and around London, basically wherever anyone will have her. She talks about sex, dating, family, and feminism from a dark and dirty perspective. This is her first Work in Progress show, which she hopes to take to Edinburgh one day. Maybe next year, if it’s ready. Described as ‘Fearless, Formidable and Funny’ by an online women’s magazine which no longer exists, and ‘really good’ by the really famous actor Hugh Grant. She has also been runner-up, semi finalist etc in a few comedy competitions. Always the Bridesmaid, never the award winning comedian. Join her for the Work in Progress that is her life.
Twitter: @CarmenAli | Instagram @CarmenJeanAli | Facebook Page @CarmenAliComedy | Website: www.carmenali.com
ELLEN WADDELL
We lie to our friends, family, lovers, and bosses because it’s easier than the truth - we have no idea what we’re doing, and we might have genital warts. In her new show former rock star and acclaimed performer Ellen Waddell (‘Jean-Luc Picard and Me’) tackles the necessity of lying in life, love, friendship and when applying for administrative jobs at truck logistics companies.
Starring Ellen and a Chair.
We lie to our friends, family, lovers, and bosses because it’s easier than the truth - we have no idea what we’re doing, and we might have genital warts. In her new show former rock star and acclaimed performer Ellen Waddell (‘Jean-Luc Picard and Me’) tackles the necessity of lying in life, love, friendship and when applying for administrative jobs at truck logistics companies.
Starring Ellen and a Chair.
SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER
FIONA SAGAR: Entitled
Fiona Sagar graduated from East 15 Acting School in 2011. She has also studied at the Groundlings Comedy Theatre in LA. She is a member of long form improv group Friend of a Friend and has extensive training in improv studying at Monkey Toast/ The Free Association Improv Schools. She has also trained with improv greats; Mike McShane, Lisa Merchant of Second City, Annie Sertich and Sean Hogan of Groundlings Comedy Theatre LA, as well as training in clown with Dr Brown.
Fiona Sagar's has just returned from Edinburgh Festival with her debut solo character-comedy show exploring entitlement.
Fiona Sagar graduated from East 15 Acting School in 2011. She has also studied at the Groundlings Comedy Theatre in LA. She is a member of long form improv group Friend of a Friend and has extensive training in improv studying at Monkey Toast/ The Free Association Improv Schools. She has also trained with improv greats; Mike McShane, Lisa Merchant of Second City, Annie Sertich and Sean Hogan of Groundlings Comedy Theatre LA, as well as training in clown with Dr Brown.
Fiona Sagar's has just returned from Edinburgh Festival with her debut solo character-comedy show exploring entitlement.
SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
OMAR & LEE: We Are All Idiots
It was the death of Michael Jackson and a lot of cheap beer that cemented their friendship.
From that point on they decided to join comedic forces and came up with the highly original name ‘Omar & Lee’, and then proceeded to make idiots of themselves- even more so than usual…
Join these two self-professed idiots as they put their friendship and sanity on the line and present for you their anarchic new show: We Are All Idiots
Witness the inner workings of the idiot as Omar & Lee share their unique take on our everyday existence via taboo busting character comedy, sharp sketches and chaotic clowning. Nothing is off limits, from religious fundamentalism to your favourite childhood TV characters. Prepare to be ridiculously entertained as these two hapless goons help you accept the absurd and embrace your inner idiot.
Omar & Lee are idiots, and so are you...
OMAR & LEE: We Are All Idiots
It was the death of Michael Jackson and a lot of cheap beer that cemented their friendship.
From that point on they decided to join comedic forces and came up with the highly original name ‘Omar & Lee’, and then proceeded to make idiots of themselves- even more so than usual…
Join these two self-professed idiots as they put their friendship and sanity on the line and present for you their anarchic new show: We Are All Idiots
Witness the inner workings of the idiot as Omar & Lee share their unique take on our everyday existence via taboo busting character comedy, sharp sketches and chaotic clowning. Nothing is off limits, from religious fundamentalism to your favourite childhood TV characters. Prepare to be ridiculously entertained as these two hapless goons help you accept the absurd and embrace your inner idiot.
Omar & Lee are idiots, and so are you...
ABOUT THE WRITERS:
STUART BENSON
Stuart trained as an Actor at the Court Theatre Training Company in London. He has worked in theatre and film, notably in The Theory of Everything. He also played the lead, ‘Dave’, in the multi-award winning Dave's Wild Life, directed by Samuel de Ceccatty.
Stuart has recently graduated from BBC Writer’s Room, after his TV pilot What If, which he co-wrote with Samuel, won from thousands of applications. Stuart has other TV shows currently in development, including British Bukowski (Working Title)’, best described as a ‘British Californication’. He has also written and performed in his own comedy sketch shows, with his company It’s a Comedy!.
Stuart trained as an Actor at the Court Theatre Training Company in London. He has worked in theatre and film, notably in The Theory of Everything. He also played the lead, ‘Dave’, in the multi-award winning Dave's Wild Life, directed by Samuel de Ceccatty.
Stuart has recently graduated from BBC Writer’s Room, after his TV pilot What If, which he co-wrote with Samuel, won from thousands of applications. Stuart has other TV shows currently in development, including British Bukowski (Working Title)’, best described as a ‘British Californication’. He has also written and performed in his own comedy sketch shows, with his company It’s a Comedy!.
GABRIEL JONES
Gabriel studied Drama at the University of East Anglia. While studying in Norwich he worked as part of a compering double act and performed stand-up as part of the Laugh Out Loud comedy club.
Since graduating he has focused on writing for the stage. Gabriel’s most recent work includes a piece for ‘Flim Nite’ in Manchester, You Won’t Believe What This Man Does Next for the One Festival at the Space Theatre and Ealing Broadway for Velvet Trumpet at the Southwark Playhouse.
Gabriel studied Drama at the University of East Anglia. While studying in Norwich he worked as part of a compering double act and performed stand-up as part of the Laugh Out Loud comedy club.
Since graduating he has focused on writing for the stage. Gabriel’s most recent work includes a piece for ‘Flim Nite’ in Manchester, You Won’t Believe What This Man Does Next for the One Festival at the Space Theatre and Ealing Broadway for Velvet Trumpet at the Southwark Playhouse.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Produced for To The Moon by Sharon Burrell, Ceri Lothian, Tom Burgess
Directed by Sharon Burrell and Stuart Benson
Designed by Tom Burgess and Anto Cossu
Produced for To The Moon by Sharon Burrell, Ceri Lothian, Tom Burgess
Directed by Sharon Burrell and Stuart Benson
Designed by Tom Burgess and Anto Cossu
